Architect Cost

How Much Does an Architect Cost?

Architect's fees depend a great deal on the project and the location, and can vary in both amount and type:

Hourly charges may start at $50-$150 but can go up depending on the type of work (from creating drawings to inspecting a construction site), location, and the architect's training, experience and reputation.

Fees can also be based on 5 to 15 percent of a project's construction expenses. Designing a 25x25-foot room addition that costs $165,000-$200,000 to build could generate an architect's bill of $8,250-$30,000; using this pricing method, the fee for a $750,000 custom-built new home could be $37,500-$112,500.

A negotiated flat fee can be as low as $700-$1,000 for up to a specified number of hours spent creating a concept design. Or an architect might agree to design a 25x25-foot room addition for $5,000-$10,000, or a 3,000-square-foot custom home for $50,000-$75,000 or more, no matter what the final construction price is. The architect may charge extra for project-related expenses such as long-distance phone calls, photocopying, soil tests, plant surveys, etc. Negotiated flat fees vary a great deal depending on the local economy.

Government fees for plan review, building permits, impact charges and design review (or homeowner association fees for similar services) are paid separately by the homeowner and can add $5,000-$15,000 or more to a project.

According to BetterHomesandGardens.com, an architect develops a design, guides your project through the approval process, refers you to contractors and helps you select the right ones, and oversees the construction to make sure the plans are followed correctly.

BobVilla.com[1] gives on overview of how to choose the right architect for you and your project. You will work closely with this professional throughout the project; be sure it's a good match.

Shopping for an architect:

Have a clear idea of how you want to live in your room addition or new house, but let the architect decide the technical details of how best to accomplish those goals. Gather photos of styles and layouts that you like.

The American Institute of Architects[2] offers a free referral service.

Get several estimates, making sure you understand exactly what's included in each bid, Interview each architect personally; good "chemistry" between you is important. Find out about their training and experience, and their personal style of design. Ask to see previous projects which are similar to yours in size and type. Understand how each firm will approach your project and who will be working on it. Ask for and contact references.

The written contract should include the work to be done, a schedule, a construction budget, the architect's fees and exactly what those fees cover, and a payment schedule.

Forgotten Expenses In a Home Addition BudgetItems like construction costs, permit fees or debris removal aren't the only expenses to consider when calculating the total costs of a home remodeling project. || Posted August 5 2013

Girl Scout Cookies Marijuana Selling for $5,000 a PoundWould you like to smoke some Peyton Manning? Or, would you prefer to spark up some Girl Scout Cookies?Marijuana growers and venders are getting creative with the highly recognizable names they give different strains of weed, without the permission o. || Posted October 18 2013

I'm an employe for city building and planing department and I was looking for an architect, for a while and had a referal was given to me for a designer i just had to meet. He is an architect that is a true master builder, did research on him and very impressed, he graduated from Sci-arch which is the top ranking architectrue school in the world and desgined me a house under budget, spent about 190k, for 2 story house with 4 garage in long beach, ca, he gets jobs only by referals and take on one project at a time. His service includes: all trypical working drawings with structural calculations and title 24 energy calcs. permit/plan check fees are extra, but still was a deal. if you need him is email is reliancedevelopment@verizon.net but his in the Los Angeles area only

Had an architect design a 600 sqft addition and remodel of another 300 square feet of area in northern california. This included helping to manage the contractor and full detailed drawings..It would have been about $7 to $10k less without the full drawings and management

CostHelper is based in Silicon Valley and provides consumers with unbiased price information about thousands of goods and services. Our writers are experienced journalists who adhere to our strict editorial ethics policy.

CostHelper Community

In need of dental helpPaid: 0.00In need of a professional dentist.I live in Northwest Ohio. Had my left leg amputated some years back. Then I came down with mrsa., so now I'm in need of dental help... [more]

Models/moldsPaid: 400.00I'm a dentist and I have been reading all the comments here. I have to say, there is no point in insisting on keeping your "molds" since there's nothing that your dentist will do with them once they are used... [more]

Automotive Paint JobPaid: 5000.00Anyone who thinks that throwing the paint in a gun and just paint it for a few hundred bucks than they need to go to a franchise like Maaco. I'm a experience painter of 20 years and shop owner... [more]